The unseen toll of floods: Prioritizing mental well-being in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Climate change is intensifying extreme weather globally and Bosnia and Herzegovina is reeling from some of the most severe flooding in a decade. Heavy rains triggered catastrophic floods, particularly in the southern and central regions, devastating communities in Jablanica, Kiseljak, Kreševo, Fojnica and Vareš. Rising waters and landslides destroyed infrastructure, severed access to crucial roads and railways, and tragically claimed over 20 lives while leaving countless numbers of people without homes or livelihoods. And, while physical recovery is urgent, the mental toll on survivors, rescuers and health-care workers is equally pressing.

Reaching affected communities

In Jablanica, a small town just 60 kilometres southwest of Sarajevo, volunteer Dino Dzevlan described the speed and impact of the disaster. "Everything happened too quickly to react, and the sheer scale of this disaster is too much for a small municipality like Jablanica."

Despite the chaos, Dzevlan praised the community's resilience. "When the civil protection call went out, over 100 people were ready to help. We did everything we could, from cleaning houses to clearing roads, delivering food and water. In such a situation, you cannot expect more from ordinary people."

Ramiza Ustovic, a resident of Buturovic Polje near Jablanica, credits her neighbours with her survival. "I was sleeping when everything happened," she recalls.

This solidarity is crucial as recovery efforts continue, but the strain is evident. Alma Budim Hondo, director of a local primary health-care facility warned, "We are close to burn-out, and we need all the help we can get."

Delivering essential care

In response to the devastating floods, WHO has provided an all-terrain vehicle, essential for transporting medical staff and patients on broken ground, ensuring that essential health-care services can reach those in need, even in areas where access has been severely affected by rising waters and landslides.

WHO stands firmly with the flood-affected communities, collaborating closely with local emergency care teams to deliver critical medical supplies and equipment where they are needed most.

A call for mental health support

While addressing the immediate physical needs of those affected is paramount, it is equally important to recognize and address the mental toll of these traumatic events, including on the medical workers, rescuers and civil protection teams tirelessly supporting their communities. These dedicated individuals often work under immense pressure, facing emotional challenges as they witness suffering and loss in their communities and even in their families. Without the right support, this can lead to serious psychological effects, including post-traumatic stress disorder and long-term mental health challenges. Burn-out, a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion, is increasingly prevalent in emergency response fields.

Bahrudin Bandic, a member of the Mountain Rescue Service of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlights the importance of mental health support. "We have been offered access to a psychologist at no charge," he shared. "At first, I found it strange, but then I realized it is really useful."

Organizations like the Association of Psychologists in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Red Cross are swiftly mobilizing teams to provide psychosocial support to those affected by the floods, recognizing that, without swift intervention, emotional recovery can take years.

Breaking the stigma surrounding mental health

Stigma surrounding mental health remains a challenge. Many are reluctant to seek help, fearing judgement, discrimination or appearing weak, particularly those in high-pressure roles like health-care and emergency response.

Bandic acknowledges that many of his colleagues grapple with their feelings while striving to help others. "We need to normalize mental health support," he stressed. "As a society, we're still not used to visiting a psychologist, even when we need it."

Mental health is not a luxury - it's a critical part of recovery, particularly for those on the frontline of recovery efforts. As Bosnia and Herzegovina rebuilds from the floods, prioritizing mental well-being is essential for both individual healing and long-term community resilience.

The climate crisis has taken a mounting toll on the WHO European Region in recent years, influencing the intensity and extremity of weather events. The scale of the floods in the Region this year is another reminder of the urgent need for countries to work jointly on combating climate change and its impacts on health. This commitment is spelled out in the groundbreaking Budapest Declaration that emerged from the 2023 Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health.

WHO/Europe partners with Member States in tackling this challenge via the WHO Regional Office for Europe in Copenhagen, Denmark, and the WHO European Office for Environment and Health in Bonn, Germany.

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